Motor Learning and Control for Practitioners

Cheryl A. Coker currently teaches in both the Physical Therapy Program and the Department of Health and Human Performance at Plymouth State University, USA. She received her undergraduate degree in Physical Education from Louisiana State University, where she was also an All-American and a member of the NCAA Championship Women’s Track and Field Team. Upon completion of her master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of Virginia, she joined the faculty at New Mexico State University, where she taught for 14 years. Coker is a motor learning specialist who draws from her experiences as a teacher, coach, and athlete to assist practitioners in putting theory into practice. In addition to Motor Learning and Control for Practitioners, she has authored numerous journal articles and book chapters, and has given more than 80 presentations throughout the United States and internationally. She is a fellow of the Research Consortium in the Society of Health and Physical Educators and of the North American Society of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport and Dance Professionals.

1. Introduction to Motor Learning and Control


2. Understanding Movement Preparation


3. The Role of Attention, Arousal and Visual Search in Movement Preparation


4. Behavioral Theories of Motor Control


5. Neural Mechanisms: Contributions and Control


6. Stages of Learning


7. The Learner: Pre-Instruction Considerations


8. Skill Presentation


9. Principles of Practice Design


10. Practice Schedules


11. Diagnosing Errors


12. Correcting Errors


Epilogue. Teaching Scenarios


Glossary